Wildfires Force 150,000 Evacuations in France as Heatwave Fuels Blazes Across Southern Europe

A severe heatwave has triggered massive wildfires in southwestern France, forcing approximately 150,000 people to evacuate their homes.

French authorities have ordered the complete evacuation of the popular tourist destination Cap Ferret, where wildfires have scorched nearly 47,000 acres of forest and damaged more than 100 homes.

French President Emmanuel Macron has instructed the military to assist firefighting efforts as emergency crews continue battling the rapidly spreading flames.

Meanwhile, neighboring Spain has declared a national state of emergency for the first time in response to a major wildfire near Madrid. Media reports said more than 43 homes have been destroyed, while around 19,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate from a mountainous area west of the capital.

More than 2,000 emergency personnel and 10 firefighting aircraft have been deployed to contain the blaze.

The wildfires follow an intense heatwave that swept across France in June. According to France’s national public health agency, 5,764 excess deaths were recorded between June 17 and July 2, representing a 36% increase over expected mortality. During the same period, 21,674 people died from various causes, compared with an expected 15,910 deaths under normal conditions.